A nice review Christian. There is a real positive synergy in this collaboration with Dodd doing the orchestrations and conducting. This is indeed one of my favorite scores of 2008 for all the reasons you cited. What a ride, it is great rousing fun! Though attached to a flawed B film this score rises above these limitations and transcends its movie. Indeed the film is much better for it. Hopefully his efforts here and in City Of Ember (which I hope you also review) will open up new scoring opportunities.

All the best. Hope your office environment today is free of ordinance fire and moans!